Japan rekindles Cup hopes

Date: December 14 2012

Patrick Bartley

WHILE luck may have largely deserted Australia's two hopefuls in last Sunday's international series in Hong Kong, the effort of a Japanese stayer may have rekindled hope that Japan could again have representation in next year's Melbourne Cup.

Australia gained a startling insight at the depth of stayers Japan possesses after Delta Blues and Pop Rock bravely fought out the Cup in 2006.

Last Sunday, Japan produced Jaguar Mail, who finished powerfully to be second to former Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux in the Hong Kong Vase.

After the race, Australia's international recruiter, Leigh Jordon, confirmed that he held talks with Jaguar Mail's trainer Noriyuki Hori who said he was keen to have the horse contest next year's Cup.

''I think he [Hori] felt the form line with Red Cadeaux was very relevant,'' Jordon said.

''After the race he said that Australia and the Melbourne Cup would be on the horse's program. He told me that Jaguar Mail was tough and a strong stayer.

''He said he had been to Australia three years ago and saw the Werribee operation in its infancy and liked what he saw. He thought the facilities that were being created were exactly what was needed.

''The major stumbling block has been flights and quarantine stations and those issues will have to be worked through, but to have a country with such depth of staying talent here for the Cup can only make the race better.''

Hori told Jordon he was only concerned the horse may get more than 57 kilograms in the Cup. But it's expected the much-travelled stayer would be given a lesser weight.

While Red Cadeaux defeated Jaguar Mail in the Vase, Caulfield and Melbourne cups winner Dunaden finished out of a place.

Australian stayer Alcopop lost all chance of winning his first international attempt after blundering at the start in the Hong Kong Cup before flashing home for third.

While the scars of Sea Siren's unsuccessful Hong Kong mission are still fresh, they haven't dimmed John O'Shea's enthusiasm to campaign horses overseas.

He was shattered when his three-time group 1 winner finished ninth in the International Sprint. The race didn't pan out well for Sea Siren after she struck interference at the start which made her over-race and forced her to travel wide.

It was O'Shea's second major disappointment in Hong Kong.

Three years ago he took Racing To Win there for the Mile but the grey was injured in the run and never raced again.

Sea Siren has also emerged from her Hong Kong experience battle scarred, although the damage is superficial.

''She's got a few bruises, a few cuts and abrasions. A black eye. She could have pulled up a bit better,'' O'Shea said.

Both Sea Siren and Alcopop will spend time in quarantine before returning to Australia. Sea Siren will be prepared for the T J Smith Stakes during the Sydney autumn carnival.

O'Shea said it was too soon for connections to entertain thoughts of taking the mare to Royal Ascot.

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